The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-03
THEFATIoNAL CAPITAL.
Religion to be Taught the Red Man
In Indian Language.

| WASHINGTON, Nov "A delegation, head
ed by ex-Justice Strong, representing the
American Bible Society, the Mohonk Con-
ference and several religious and missionary
societies, called upon the President to-day to
urge him to modify the order of the Interior
Department prohibiting the use of the In
dian language in the Indian schools. The
delegation stated that the broad interpreta-
tion given the order practically put an end
to the religious instruction of the Indians.
Several mission schools have been compelled
to suspend work in consequence The dele
gates represented forty thousand Indian
children OF school age. of whom 1900 are
| pupils; and about 25,O00 adult Indians. who
cannot understand any language but their
own The delegation was heartily in SYM
| pathy with the government in its effort to
teach the Indians English, but believed an
struction until the Indians understand Eng
| lish The Presidents reply was entirely
satisfactory. He said it was not intended
that the order should be so literally con-
strued as to forbid religious instruction in
the Indian language, and that the recent an
nual report of the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs made this clear.
A Movement from Maine.
Rowland B. Howard of Boston, Secretary
of the American Peace Society, who has con-
Quoted the great peace demonstration in
Washington, this week, is native of Leeds,
Me-, and General Howard's brother. This
peace movement had its home in Androscog-
gin county. The father of it was William
Ladd of Minot.
A Cheerful Expectation.
1t is confidently expected that the opinien
of Judge Davis of the Court of Claims on
the contested questions in pending French
spoliation claims, will be given ON Monday,
and that the decision will favor the claim
ants.
The seIfridge Case.
The Acting Secretary of the Navy, Com
modore Harmony, stated to-day that action
would be taken on the case of Capt. Self |
ridge within few days. Capt. Selfridge !
was detached from the command of the |
Omaha several months ago and ordered home |
from the Asiatic station by Rear-Admira |
Chandler. He was subjected to a court of |
inquiry for having caused the death of three |
japanese by alleged careleSSnOss in torpedo |
practice. The case was thoroughly investi- |
gated, Its sessions being held on board the |
Omaha. The record of the court has been /
in the Navy Department for nearly two |
months. For this reason it is surmised that |
the court recommended further proceedings, |
and that the forthcoming action of the de- |
department will be the ordering of court
martial. 1t is usual to take Immediate ac-
tlon on the findings of a court of inquiry |
when 1t falls to report reason for further |
proceedings
Pensions Awarded.
The following Maine pensions have been
granted:
Olive. F., widow of John X. Lincoln Bangor
original.
Daniel f. Buck, Harrison
Philip Stinson, East Surrey, increase.
Stephen f. Morrill, Orrs Island.
Randall G. Noyes, Bradford.
Alaskan Facts and Figures.
A. P. Swineford, Governor of Alaska, in
his annual report says that the population of
the Territory is estimated as follows:
Whites, 5000; Creoles practically white) l.
800; Aleuts, 2,300; natives partlally educated
and civilized, $500, Total civilized popula-
tion, $4,000; unciyilized natives, 26,SOO; total
population, 80, 400.
The Governor says that S1O,0O0,OO0 is a
conservative estimate of the value of all tax
able property in the Territory, exclusive of
the Alaska Commercial Company's estab-
lishments on the Seal Islands. The increase
he says, will be rapid as soon as Congress,
by the necessary legislation, gives encourage
ment to the settlement of public lands. The
report SAYS that little has been accomplished
or indeed attempted in the way of agricult-
ural development. No one comes into the
Territory with the belief that either the soil
or the climate is adapted to agriculture or
horticulture pursuits, but the few expert
ments which have been made leave no room
for doubt that all the cereals, except corn,
can be grown to perfection in many sections.
Nothing has yet been done in the way of
stock raising.
OF the Alaska Commercial Company, the
Governor speaks in terms of strong con-
demnatiOn as an oppressive monopoly and he
concludes by saying that if the lease to and
contract with that company cannot be legal
ly rescinded, it ought not to be renewed. A
commission is recommended to determine
the exact location of the boundary lines.
Maine Postal Changes.
The following changes in Star schedules
are announced: Route 191-East Denmark
to East Brownville. Leave East Denmark
daily except Sundays at Z a. m. and $50 p.
m. or in season to connect with trains; ar
rive at East Brownfeld in IL hours. Leave
East Brownfeld daily except Sundays at
1875 a. IN. and 5.25 p. m, or on arrival of
trains; arrive at East Denmark in II hours.
Calvin Lane has been commissioned post
master at Carroll, Me-, and John j. Grant at
East Fairfield.
NEW ENGLAND BALL PIAYERS